A BELLY dance teacher is trying to attract a new kind of student to her classes... men.

Zehara Franklin wants to see blokes shake off their inhibitions and try out the exotic dance form at a new course she is running at Fielden College in West Didsbury.

She believes that the sexy dance, more commonly associated with Middle Eastern female dancers, is the perfect antidote to the curse of the middle-aged man - the beer gut.

Zehara, who has taught the dance for 12 years, said: "I would love to see more men having a go at belly dancing.

"Quite a few famous belly dancers have emerged from Iran but in the West it is only women who seem prepared to try it out.

"There is no reason why men can't take to it."

The only man she has so far persuaded to take up the dance is her partner Jan Silins.

But she says that the dance is the perfect form of exercise and can be healthier than playing football or squash.

Zehara added: "Belly dancing gets you using different parts of your body and is a very healthy form of exercise.

"Male belly dancers tend to dance a little bit differently to the women, they tend to move their shoulders more rather than their hips.

"We have daughters, mothers and grandmothers coming to my other classes at St Aiden's Church on Palatine Road, Didsbury - but so far no sons or dads."

Jan, 50, said: "Some people might see it as a bit unusual for men to take part in belly dancing but men don't tend to dance in this country at all.

"It is very good for you and is one of the rare forms of activity that really exercises the midriff area. The sessions are very lively and funky, there is a party atmosphere - it is all about using your body in a celebratory way."

The class at the college will be held at the Barlow Moor Road college on Tuesdays at 7pm from September 12. It is open to both sexes.